The Press., 1887-03-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

| Wash1ngton, ID. c., March IS, 1887. The people of Washington are looking forward to the national drill, which is to take place in May, with great interest. At least thirty-six states will be represented by some of their best military organiza- tions, and all the indications point to a grand affair. The carnival, however, which It was proposed should take place at the close of the drill, has been postponed until October. 1t was decided that there would not be sufficient time now before the drill to make the preparations necessary for carrying out carnival on the magnificent scale that is oontemplated
 l During theWeek Washington has had some of those national conventions for which it is famed these days, and with which 1t is seldom without The most im- portant, probably was held in the lecture hall of the National Museum, and was a gathering of pedagogues from all parts of country. They exchanged experiences and opinions, made speeches and read papers of practical interest and value, discussed industrial education, and explained why they met at the national capital this year, and would meet here for many years to come, to discuss national questions.
 The president of the National Depart ment of Superintendence, MT. Young, of Nevada, after referring to Washington's plan for a.national university in this city, said the only inspiration of the last session of congress seemed to be millions for de- fence, but not one cent for education l" Not even the cornerstone of Washington's s ideal university had been laid. He said there might soon be a demand for nation al normal school The state institutions could not meet the demand for trained teachers. He referred to the work carried on by existing scientific bureaus of the government, and asked if there was any better reason for aiding such science than for promoting the science of pedagogy.
 The fate of the Blair bill was referred to las defeat of the will of the people, and the statement was made that there are now six millions of our people who can neither read nor write. This condition would ex. ist until aid was afforded by the gentlemen who assembled at the capitol. The expen- ditures for public education in France, Germany, Holland and other countries were cited to prove that there was nothing m their history against government aid to the national nurseries of science aud learn ling.
 Before this letter reaches you the Inter- State Commerce Commission will probably be completed and the names made known. Yesterday two of the five places were still untitled, and the president was waiting to hear from two men in regard to them There have been about five or six hundred applications, and among them as many re- publicans as democrats. In making his selection of the two republicans the presi- dent, 1t Is said, has really had a better list to select from than provided by the appli- cants of his own party. It is said that the reason why MT. Cleveland has so long de. layed action in the matter is that he has been extremely desirous of making such appointments as will bear all just and fair criticism. .-l
 I It was declared in the debate in congress that some sections of the Interstate Com merce bill were so vaguely worded that mo- body could tell what they meant. It has been discovered that the agricultural ex- pertinent station bill, although purporting to make an appropriation, failed to do so. ] The regular appropriation bills are found to be full of clauses of doubtful meaning.
 Enc trade dollar bill was so crude that there was much doubt as to the possibility of it's execution. The anti -polygamy act also is said to contain some inexplicable provis- ions, but it is not necessary to extend the list to show that the forty y-ninth congress was guilty of much slovenly legislation. } The WOfd1ng ot laws should at least be careful enough to afford the administrative
 branch and the people some chance of knowing what the laws for their govern ment mean. s. . -....-.-. .#..: The democrats are divided as to which of trinity of their leaders is to blame for the failures of the congress which has just expired. Some blame the president, some blame Speaker Carlisle, and most of them blame MT. Randall, the chairman of the great appropriation committee The latter did all he could to prevent legislation, it is true, but he would have been powerless had not MT. Carlisle exercised his auto cratic power to defeat and delay measures proper and necessary to be passed. He could have recognized some one to make a motion to suspend the rules and pass cer- tain measures of pressing importance, but he defeated them by refusing to do so, and he refused to do so because he was opposed to them.